The amount of waste being recycled in Oxfordshire has increased by more than a quarter, leading to confidence that new Government targets will be met.

Over the past year, 14 per cent of the 290,000 tonnes of household waste produced in the county was recycled.

That is an increase of three per cent of the previous 12 months, but is still short of the 20 per cent target set by the Government which must be met by the end of 2003.

The Government has also set a household waste recycling target for Oxfordshire of 30 per cent which must be met by 2005/6.

It is not clear what will happen to councils that fail to meet these targets, although it is believed they could be "named and shamed" or given financial penalties.

Increased kerbside collections and improvements to waste recycling centres are believed the reason behind the increase, as well as improved public awareness.

County, district and city councils are working together on the issue as well as running individual projects.

Among these is Cherwell District Council's scheme to introduce its first major kerbside recycling operation for paper, which it is hoped will boost the recycling figure.

Adam Symons, the waste strategy manager for Oxfordshire County Council, said: "We are confident of reaching the target set by the Government in April.

"People are getting better at sorting their household waste out and we have been trying to improve facilities and the number of operatives at our recycling centres.

"The councils will continue to work together to provide residents with better facilities for recycling and composting.

"But we can only improve our environment if everyone gets involved."

Local authorities run a series of education schemes aimed at teaching young people about the environment and encouraging them to recycle. Among them are a pair of clowns called Bozo and Zizi who tour schools.

Oxford City Council principal engineer Paul Kirkley said: "This is an exciting way of persuading young people just how important recycling is. The more fun they have, the more they will learn."